1. Tim Hudson

Tim Hudson has been the most reliable pitcher on the Braves' staff for the last seven years when healthy, and he's going to have to be that again in 2012.

Beachy filled the role of the staff ace early in the year while Hudson posted a solid 3.58 ERA.

Hudson now has to take over as the ace of the staff as the lone veteran of the bunch.

Hudson got off to a good start on Tuesday against the Diamondbacks as he went eight innings only allowing one run on seven hits.

Not only did Hudson give the Braves a great chance to win, but he also saved the bullpen.

It's going to be vital for Hudson to remain a consistent starter for the Braves with a bunch of young guys in the rotation. They are going to go through ups and downs, but the Braves can't afford for Hudson to suffer from those.

3. Brian McCann

Brian McCann has been a steady hitter for the Braves since he got called up to the major league level in 2005.

McCann has been battling injuries throughout 2012 and has struggled to find consistency in the batter's box.

Manager Fredi Gonzalez keeps showing faith in McCann in putting him in the three or four spot in the order every night.

McCann needs to reward his manager's confidence by producing runs. McCann is hitting just .239 with nine home runs and 34 RBI.

The offense will need to start picking up the pace now that the ace of the staff is out for the season. McCann is one player in the middle of the order who needs to improve on the production he's provided so far in 2012.

7. Kris Medlen

The Braves are stringing along Kris Medlen, and it's not fair to him at all. Most look at him as a starting pitcher, but the Braves feel that for this team he is more valuable out of the bullpen.

That's up for debate, but he needs to step up now that he's in a middle relief role.

The Braves lack right-handers out of the bullpen with the injuries to Arodys Vizcaino and Peter Moylan.

As mentioned in the previous slide, Gonzalez is going to have to go to his bullpen more frequently without Beachy. However, he wants to avoid tiring out the big three like 2012. That is how Medlen can contribute the most in his current role.

Medlen has been OK so far out of the pen with a 3.38 ERA. His main struggle has been getting out of jams when he comes in with runners on base.

If he cleans that up, he can be a major contributor to the Braves rotation.